MG

2001 June, right:
The MGF X-Power 500, first of MG's "extreme"
cars built is one-off demonstrators.
This one is based on the rear engined MGF which normally has
a modest 1.8 litre 4-cylinder motor, but
in this case a 370 (500Ps) unit is fitted
driving a 6-speed sequential gearbox.
The engine is based on the 2001 MG
Le-Mans
race engine.
The track is 4" wider than standard
at the front, 6" wider at the rear.
The car is not for sale; its purpose is to help create a new image for
MG.

2001 June:
MG announced that it will launch a 4.6-litre V8 sports car, the
[X80],
in 2002.

2001 May: Two
MG Lola
prototypes are entered in the 2001
Le Mans 24-hour race.
(They retired with mechanical problems.)
This is part of a big push into motor sport by MG.
A new subsidiary `MG Sport & Racing Ltd' has been created
together with a new brand, `MG X Power'.

The ZR uses the 1.8-litre engine also found in the MGF Trophy 160 SE.
A special model, the Ultimate,
will be based on a works rally car.

The MG ZS is based on the
Rover 75
and has a 130 2.5 litre V6.
(This sort of grille engineering is what the old BMC used to do
to no great effect; let's hope MG Rover does not fall into the old traps.)

The MG ZT (left) uses an "uprated version of the new
Rover 75's [dohc] V6" (145).
It drives a Getrag 5-speed manual gearbox.
The suspension is said to be considerable firmer than that of the Rover 75.
The top model will be
a rear wheel drive (!) 190 V8.
Now that could be a genuine BMW rival
if MG Rover gets it right.